Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 108:5 (NLT) AUGUST 2014 SERVING THIS MONTH ELDERS Bill Faust, Todd Peak ELDER ALTERNATES Jack Dale, Herb Peak DEACONS/USHERS Adam Barker (D/U), Paul Knight (D/U), Jared Robinson (D), Jim Sisk (D) (An usher needs to be responsible for locking foyer door after service starts.) JUNIOR DEACON Koty Peak DEACONESSES/JR DEACONESSES Dottie Corey, Alice Legard If you cannot serve during your scheduled month, please contact another server to see about switching with you. If you know of a shut-in desiring communion be taken to them, please call Jean Brannon at 276-669-7311. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS SAVE THE DATE! ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC Sunday, August 17th Church Grounds This is a potluck meal with the church providing beverages. Also, we ll ask you to consider sharing your outdoor/lawn games to provide fun for kids and adults alike (ex: croquet, Frisbee, lawn darts, etc.). We ll have sidewalk chalk and a section of pavement marked off for our resident artists. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW CONGRATULATIONS! to Jessica & Jeremy Stacy on the arrival of their baby boy, Jonah, born July 16, 2014 F I R S T C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H 311 SPENCER STREET {ON THE MLK JR. BLVD.} BRISTOL, VA 24201 276-669-2014 FIRSTCHRISTIAN@BVU.NET
AUGUST 14 NEWSLETTER EV S ECHO WHO CARES? Have you found yourself in circumstances so overwhelming you saw no way out, no way things would ever change. Or perhaps you found yourself in the mulligrubs, downhearted, feeling blue, or had a face like a wet weekend (that s a new one for me). During these times everyone seems happy as a lark, no worries, and don t even notice your day isn t going good. When I find myself living in one of these places I want to scream, Hey, I m here and who cares! Sadly there are times when the few we know truly do care. I want to encourage you and remind you, God cares and He thinks of you... you are always on His mind. In Psalm 139, David said, God, your thoughts about me are priceless. No one can possibly add them all up. If I could count them [God s thoughts] they would be more than the grains of sand. If I fell asleep counting [the grains of sand] and then wake up, you would still be there with me [thinking of me]. Jesus was talking with His disciples and said, Aren t five sparrows sold for two pennies? And, God does not forget one of them. And, in fact, He even counts every hair on your head. So, don t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7) These verses tell us that Jesus cares! He cares in ways no one in this world can care. And He tells us to bring all our cares to Him because He cares for us. You know I have a song, but it is full of wonderful truth... Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song As the burdens press and the cares distress and the way grows weary and long? Does Jesus care when I ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong; When for my deep grief I find no relief, tho my tears flow all the night long? Does Jesus care when I ve said good-bye to the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks is it aught to Him? Does He see? Oh yes, He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Who cares? Jesus cares, and He loves you deeply and dearly. LADIES, I M EXCITED! We have some F-F-F planned for all ladies on August 12th and September 13th. So get your calendars out and circle these dates!!! August 12th Ladies Time-Out Jen Redmond s house for grilled burgers. Mmmmm, sounds good! We will meet at the church at 6:00 pm for anyone who wants to ride together. Hamburgers, buns, and drinks will be furnished. Let me or Ms. Jen know what side you would like to bring to add to our meal. This will certainly be a night of F-F-F... FUN FOOD FELLOWSHIP! If you haven t been a part of the Ladies Time-Out this is a good time to join us! September 13th Barter Theatre We have a wonderful group signed up to go see My Fair Lady. For those of you on that list, be watching for updated information on all the details. If you had to miss out on this event, there ll be more down the road. Who knows what we ll come up with next.
AUGUST 14 NEWSLETTER CONGRATULATIONS! to Swing Mann on receiving the highest honor in Boy Scouts. Swing now belongs in the class of Eagle Scouts. His project in earning this award was sealing and striping the parking lot of FCC. Swing, we are very proud of you and all you have done for your church. PLEASE NOTE... If you have membership cards you have not filled out and returned yet, please help us bring files up-to-date by returning your cards to the church office or Pastor Peak. Thanks for your prompt response. FCC MISSIONS On Sunday, June 29, 2014, our VBS group presented a recital of their songs and activities of VBS week. It was so meaningful, so beautiful just what VBS is all about JESUS! God smiled when He saw the children singing cheerfully as unto Him. Worship so genuine and meaningful means so much to a God who loves the little Children! All hearts were worshiping Jesus! Little hands were raised to Jesus! When they sang, He s Alive! He s Alive! with laughter and smiles on faces, hands lifted up, Jesus was exalted! The good news the gospel was planted! Another mission from First Christian Church was accomplished! Praise God! Thank you VBS workers. God certainly smiled at you for obeying His word and taking His message Go out and tell He s Alive!!! SUN., AUGUST 3RD 6PM FAMILIES W/CHILDREN CONNECT + KIDS CONNECT Todd & Crystal s House 221 Haley Walk, Bristol, TN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SAT., AUG. 9TH 8:30AM MEN S CONNECT BREAKFAST Church Library - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SUN., AUGUST 17TH 6PM ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC Mission Committee THANK YOU! Thanks to everyone so much for your prayers. Heather, our daughter, is improving from Bell s Palsy. We praise Him for His healing hands and everyone for their concern. Love to all, Margie & Bob McCroskey KIDZ ZONE WORKERS FOR AUGUST K-6 (ages 6-10) Week 1 Jessica Stacy Week 2 Dottie Corey Week 3 Connie Branson Week 4 Tammy Henkel Week 5 Family Worship Day
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH PO BOX 158 BRISTOL, VA 24202 HELP EACH OTHER WITH YOUR FAITH BY RICK WARREN I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you. (Romans 1:12 NCV) In authentic Christian fellowship, people should experience a mutual dependency. This mutuality is the art of giving and receiving; it s depending on each other. The Bible says, The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part (1 Corinthians 12:25 MSG). Mutuality is the heart of fellowship building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Paul said, I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you (Romans 1:12 NCV). All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. The Bible commands mutual accountability, mutual encouragement, mutual serving, and mutual honoring. More than 50 times in the New Testament we re commanded to do different tasks for one another and each other. The Bible says, Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19 NIV). You are not responsible for everyone in the Body of Christ, but you are responsible to them. God expects you to do whatever you can to help them. Talk It Over If your family needed help for a task or crisis, who would be the people you call on first? Are those people in your small group or church? In what ways are you playing an integral part in the Body of Christ? How can you anticipate a need in your church or small group this week?
AUGUST 2014 CALENDAR SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 3 4 Family & Kids CONNECT 6:00 pm 10 No evening services. 17 Annual Church Picnic 24 No evening services. WEDNESDAY 5 OF EVENTS THURSDAY FOR FRIDAY 1 7 6 1:00-4:00 Food Pantry 7:00 Board Meeting (All church members are invited to attend board meetings) 18 12 6:00 Ladies Time-Out Jen Redmond s House 19 13 SATURDAY 2 8 11 FCC 9 8:30 Men s Breakfast 14 10:00 Meals on Wheels 15 16 22 23 20 21 25 26 Margie is in the church office from 8:30-12:30, Tuesday thru Thursday. 27 28 29 30 Please have items for September s newsletter to Margie, Pastor Herb, or Judy by August 19th.